Accreditation Timeline

Timeline for Accreditation Process

One of the most asked questions for new facilities applying for accreditation is, “How long will the accreditation process take?”

To better assist facilities considering accreditation, we have developed a timeline to be used as a guideline for the average amount of time to complete the process. AAAASF mandates 100% compliance with all standards and therefore requires correction of any deficiencies prior to approval. We cannot GUARANTEE that any facility will complete the accreditation process within a specified amount of time. However, we can provide a general timeline that a facility can expect for completion of the process. In the following timetable, we will provide a guideline for facilities with deficiencies and without deficiencies, and for Medicare and non-Medicare accreditation.

We hope that you will find this information helpful in the planning stages for successful completion of the process.

Regular Accreditation without Deficiencies

Total time from Initiation of Application to Completion of Accreditation	Two to Four Months
Application to Inspection (facility submits all required documentation within 30 days of application)	45-60 days
Inspection evaluation submitted by Inspector	1-30 days
Inspection evaluation processed by AAAASF staff	5-15 days
Approval from Accreditation Committee Chair	1-3 days
Facility Notification of Approval by AAAASF Staff	1-3 days
Certificate Order Form Processed	1-5 days

Medicare Accreditation without Deficiencies

Total time from Initiation of Application to Completion of Accreditation	Three to Six Months
Application to Life Safety Code Inspection (facility submits all required documentation and files Provider Number application with CMS within 30 days of application)	45-60 days
Inspection evaluation submitted by Inspector	1-30 days
Inspection evaluation processed by AAAASF staff	1-10 days
Unannounced Medicare Inspection Scheduled	1-30 days
Inspection evaluation submitted by Inspector	1-30 days
Inspection evaluation processed by AAAASF staff	5-15 days
Approval from Accreditation Committee Chair	1-3 days
Facility Notification of Approval by AAAASF Staff	1-3 days
Certificate Order Form Processed	1-5 days

Regular Accreditation with Deficiencies

Total time from Initiation of Application to Completion of Accreditation	Three to Six Months
Application to Inspection (facility submits all required documentation within 30 days of application)	45-60 days
Inspection evaluation submitted by Inspector	1-30 days
Inspection evaluation processed by AAAASF staff and letter of deficiency sent to facility	5-15 days
Facility submits documentation of deficiency corrections	1-30 days
Deficiency Corrections processed by AAAASF staff and /or Accreditation Chair	1-10 days
Approval from Accreditation Committee Chair	1-3 days
Facility Notification of Approval by AAAASF Staff	1-3 days
Certificate Order Form Processed	1-5 days

Medicare Accreditation with Life Safety Code and/or Standard Deficiencies

Total time from Initiation of Application to Completion of Accreditation	Four to Twelve Months
Application to Life Safety Code Inspection (facility submits all required documentation and files Provider Number application with CMS within 30 days of application)	45-60 days
LSC Inspection evaluation submitted by LSC Inspector and plan of correction for deficiencies issued to facility.	1-30 days
LSC Inspection evaluation processed by AAAASF staff	5-15 days
Facility submits documentation of deficiency corrections	1-30 days
Deficiency Corrections processed and approved/not approved by LSC Inspector	1-30 days
AAAASF requests a 45 day surgery schedule from facility	1-10 days
AAAASF schedules an unannounced inspection with inspection team	1-45 days
Inspection evaluation submitted by Inspection Team	1-30 days
Inspection evaluation processed by AAAASF staff and letter of deficiency sent to facility	5-15 days
Facility submits documentation of deficiency corrections	1-30 days
Deficiency Corrections processed by AAAASF staff and /or Accreditation Chair	1-10 days
Facility Notification of Approval by AAAASF Staff	1-3 Business days
Certificate Order Form Processed	1-5 Business days